Waitemata DHB – winter illness and an aging population

Waitemata District Health Board (DHB) is
experiencing increased demand from sick patients who are
requiring admission to inpatient beds and is asking patients
to only present to North Shore and Waitakere hospital
emergency departments in emergency situations.

Both of
hospitals are currently experiencing high ED demand and
occupancy levels, primarily due to a wide range of medical
presentations including winter illnesses.

All patients
needing immediate hospital-based attention will still
receive the treatment they require, but a number of
conditions can be appropriately treated in non-emergency
settings – therefore reserving ED for emergency-use
only.

The DHB is urging people with less serious health
concerns to either call Healthline 0800 611 116; visit
their family doctor (GP); get advice and treatment for
common minor illness from community pharmacists, or attend
an Accident & Urgent Medical Clinic if after
hours.

“Emergency departments are for seriously unwell
patients in need of emergency care, and patients with less
serious health concerns could delay treatment for patients
in serious emergency situations,” Waitemata DHB acting
Chief Medical Officer Dr Jonathan Christiansen “Please
think twice before presenting to either of our hospital
emergency departments unless it is an emergency.”

The
DHB is also urging families and friends of patients to stay
away from hospital if they feel unwell, to avoid the
unnecessary spread of illness to already-sick
patients.

Waitemata DHB has the fastest-growing and
longest-lived population nationally, with a further 100,000
people expected to live within the district over the next
decade.

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